Aligning fixture



Feb. 8, 1944. v R. s., PAYNE 2,341,234

ALIGNING FIXTURE Filed Oct. 6, 1942 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.6.

fi- /f /6 INVENTOR I ROL/AND s. PAYNE ATTORNES Feb. 81, 1944.. R. s. PAYNI; 2,341,284

ALIGNING- FIXTURE Filed Oct. 6, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.7. Fig.5. 1

I. l [HT-1 7/ 67 If I 70 6,366 66 7/ 69 INVENTOR ROLAND s. PAYNE ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 8, 194-4 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALIGNIN G FIXTURE Application October 6, 1942, Serial No. 461,017

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to an alignment gauge, particularly for axially aligning cooperative tools, as a punch with respect to a workholding die and mandrel, wherein it is of extreme importance that the pocket formation produced by the punch and the displaced and compressed metal surrounding such formation be of exact concentricity. The invention is especially adapted to, and the present disclosure is illustrated in connection with, a punch and die employed in the manufacture of cartridge cases for the purpose of forming a primer cap receiving pocket centrally in the head end of the cartridge case. Perfect axial alignment of the punch and die is important both in connection with the production of a perfect cartridge case, wherein the primer cap pocket must be exactly centralized and the surrounding metal must be of uniform dimension and consistency, and in eliminating lateral strain on the punch, which results when the punch is not centralized and a smaller thickness of metal is confined between the punch and die at one side, and which strain causes excessive wear and frequent breakage" of the punch. Also,

where there are subsequent operations on the punch, in the form of a projecting teat, directly engages the head end of the cartridge case with the ejecting stem or mandrel supporting the cartridge case forming an anvil to cooperate with the punch, the punch having no direct engagement with the die opening in which the cartridge case is supported. It is consequently impossible to centralize the punch by directly engaging it with the die, and it has therefore been necessary in order to determine the alignment of the punch and die to operate the machine with a cartridge case in place with the result that the punch was apt to become damaged before actually going into production use.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device in the nature of a jig which may be fitted into relation with the punch and die prior to operation of the machine with the cartridge case in place, and without the necessity for directly engaging the punch with the die, so that the chance of premature damage to the punch or die due to misalignment is prevented. To this end, it is particularly proposed to provide a jig consisting of two main parts having registering templated, the pocket forming portion of the peripheral surfaces which are normally aligned, and including means upon one part adapted to be fitted in exact centralized relation in the die or die-holder, and means centralized with respect to the other part and adapted to receive the pocket forming teat of the punch in centralized relation, the two parts of the device being transversely shiftable with respect to each other, so that any misalignment between the punch and the die will result in a relative shifting between the two parts of the device, and hence will cause their normally registering peripheral surfaces to become out of register.

A further object is to provide a centering device in which the relatively movable parts are free to shift as the punch is transversely adjusted, so that upon perfect centralization of the punch the normally registering parts of the device will be in perfect register. Another object is to provide in one embodiment of the invention spring projected punch and die engaging parts adapted to automatically insure firm axial engagement of the device in perfect parallelism.

It is further proposed to provide such device wherein the perfect register of the two parts may be accurately determined by feel, as for instance, by moving the finger or fingernail across the joint between the two parts and determining by the absence-of any projection of one part with respect to the other that the punch is properly aligned axially with the die.

With the above and other objects in view, embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, and these embodiments will be hereinafter more fully described with reference thereto, and the invention wil1 be finally pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view showing a punch and die of the type adapted to be axially aligned by means of the device of the invention, the punch being shown in separated relation to the die and the head end of the cartridge case being shown upon the reciproeating ejecting stem or mandrel at an intermediate position of its movement toward the punch moving to meet it.

Fig. 2 is a similar View, showing the punch engaged with the die at the completion of the pocket forming operation.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the aligning gauge, according to one illustrated exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 is an end elevation, showing the punch engaging end. l

Fig. 5 is an end elevation, showing the dieengaging end.

Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view, taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 and showing the gauge in its operative position in cooperation with the punch and die, the dot-and-dash lines indicating the position to which the punch engaging part shifts inrespect to the die engaging part in the event of axial misalignment.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 8 is an end elevation, showing the punch engaging end.

Fig. 9 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view, taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an end elevation, showing the punch engaging end, wherein the punch engaging member of the device is transversely shifted into axially disaligned relation to the die engaging member of the gauge.

Fig. 11 is a vertical'longitud-inal sectional view, showing-the modified form of the invention illustrated in Figs. '7 to 10 in its operative position in cooperation with the punch and die holder.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, the aligning gauge, according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention illustratedin Figs. 1 to 6, is especially adapted for the axial aligning or centering of a punch with respect to a die in which a work-piece is moved into punch-engaging position by means of anejecting stem or mandrel.

In Figs. 1 and 2 there is illustrated a type of punch and .diefor producing a primer cap pocket in the head end of a cartridge case, and wherein the cyllndricalfixed die I removably secured in the cylindrical passage I I of a fixed die-holder i2. is; provided with a horizontal cylindrical passage l3, within which an ejecting stem or a mandrel l4, tapered at its forward end, reciprocates to feed a cartridge case l forwardly to bring itshead end flush with the forward face of the die. The reciprocating pocket forming punch i6 is secured inv the passage ll of the reciprocating carriage part I8 of the machine, the punch being transversely adjustable relatively to the. die by suitable known means. The punch includes a flanged forward end portion l8, preferably of larger. diameter than the die passage 13, and a centrally disposed pocket forming teat projection 21! adapted to engage the head end. 0f,.the cartridge case within the passage |2 to, produce a central primer cap pocket therein. The reciprocation of the mandrel I4 is so synchronized with the reciprocation of the punch that the mandrel acts as a fixed anvil to support the closed. or head end of the cartridge case at that instant Whenthe projection 20 of the punch strikes the outside ofthe head end, the teat projectionZO. of the punch thereupon impressing itself into the head of the cartridge case while opposedby the anvil forming mandrel to form the primer cap receiving pocket 2| in the cartridge case, as shown in Fig. 2.

It. is obvious from the illustration in' Fig. 2 that. any axial misalignment between the die and the punch will not only cause an uneven strain uponthe punch, but will produce a cartridge head in whichtheannular area ofmetal surrounding the pocket 2! is uneven both. in dimension and consistency. and any such unevenness results in a dangerously defective cartridge case. The production of such cartridge cases is very rapid and the punch must be renewed as soon as it shows wear. The aligning gauge of the present invention is especially adapted to permit of the quick and convenient aligning of replacement punches.

The aligning gauge comprises a cylindrical block member 22 provided centrally with a cylindrical passage 23 in its outer face and a larger diameter'cylindrical chamber. 24 extending from the passage 23 to the inner face. Diametrically at each side of the chamber 24 the block member is provided with threaded holes 2525 adapted to receive post members, presently to be more fully referred to, and diametrically at each side. of the passage 24- and centrally between the threaded holes 2525 there are provided boltreceiving holes 2626 at the inner face of the block. having counterbored passages 21-2! extending to the outer side of the block. Headed bolts 2ll28 are engaged in the holes 26-23 and screwed into threaded screw-holes 2929 in a cylindrical plate member 30 corresponding in diameter to the block member and concentric thereto and constituting a closure base for the cylindrical chamber 24. The block member 22 and the plate 30 are accurately positioned with respect to each other by means of dowels 3i-3l engaged in dowel pockets respectively provided in the block and plate members. The plate member 30 is provided in axial alignment with the threaded holes 25 of the block 22 with cylindrical holes 3232 through which extend the post members, presently more fully referred to. The outer face of the plate member 3!) is provided centrally with a dished recess 33, the annular rim surface surrounding this dished recess being precisely ground to a flat finish to provide a flat sliding seat for the disc member of thedevice; presently to be more fully referredto.

Within the central passage 23' of the block member there is slidably engaged a cylindrical punch-engaging member 34 provided, centrally with a precisely 'centeredcylindrical hole 35, having an annular. beveled seat surface 35 at its outer end, upon which the rounded teat projection 20 of. the punch is adapted to seat in centralized relation, as shown clearly in Fig. 6'; The inner-end of this hole 35 extends to an enlarged diameter spring engaging pocket 36 within which is engaged a helical spring 31, seating at one end against the. beveled end of the pocket and at its other end upon the closure plate member 30. Within the cylindrical chamber 24,. the member 34 is provided with an outwardly projecting cylindrical flange 38 slidable in the chamber and normally abutting the shouldered. end of. the chamber adjacent the. passage 23 under the pressure of the spring to limit the projectionof the member 34. An annular-corner clearance recess 39 is provided at the end of the member 34 adjacent the flange 38. The spring mounting of the member 34 permits the device to be engaged with the punch while the latter is in non-centralized position to an extent where the teat projection 20 engages, the face of the member 34, and as the punch is approximately adjusted to the point where it is centralized with the block member 22 the annular beveled seat surface 35 is engaged by the teat projection it through outward movement of the member 34 under pressure of the spring. During the centralizing adjustment of the punch with respect to the die, the punch is preferably so spaced with respect to the die that the member 34 is depressed and the spring is compressed, substantially as shown in Fig, 6, for the purpose of exerting axial spring pressure upon the several parts of the device.

To the block member 22 and its cover plate member 30, which together form a unitary part of the device, there is connected for relative lateral adjustment movement a cylindrical dieengaging disc member 43 provided diametrically at each side with holes 4I4l, having counterbored recesses @2-42 at their outer ends and in which are engaged the smaller diameter screwpost members 4343. These screw-post members have reduced threaded ends 44 engaged through the holes 32 of the plate member 30 and screwed into the threaded holes 25 of the block member, and are provided at their outer ends with shouldered heads 45 engaged in the recesses 42, these heads being of larger diameter than the holes 4i and of smaller diameter than the recesses 42. The distance from the shoulder of each of the recesses 42 to the inner surface of the block member 22 when the disc member all is flatly engaged against the plate member 33 corresponds exactly to the distance from the shoulder of the screw-post head 45 to the inner surface of the block member 22, so that while the disc 40 is in firm engagement with the plate member 3i! relative transverse shifting movement of the block member with respect to the disc member will cause the screw-post head to move laterally in the recess 42, the clearance or" the 2 holes 4! with respect to the screw-post and the clearance of the recess 42 with respect to the head being sufficient to permit of substantial relative movement. The disc member it precisely corresponds in cylindrical size to the plate 2 any eccentricity of the block member 22 with respect to the disc member is indicated by the formation of a ridge which can be readily detected by moving the finger or fingernail across the joint.

' Centrally of the disc member 48 there is provided a cylindrical passage 46, extending inward- 1y to a counterbored cylindrical chamber til, this chamber being preferably provided adjacent the inner face of the disc with a counterbored annular clearance recess 48. Within the passage it there is slidably engaged a cylindrical dieengaging plunger it provided at its inner end with an annular flange 5i! engaging within the chamber M to limit the outward projection of the plunger. pocket 52 in the plunger and the dished recess 33 of the plate member 30 and exerts projecting pressure upon the plunger. The diameter of the plunger is predetermined to precisely fit within the passage E3 of the die it with a close sliding fit.

if The axial clearance provided by the chamber 4'! face of the die to the point where the plunger '49 registers exactly with the passage l3, where- A spring 5| is engaged between a upon it is automaticallyprojected into engagement with the passage by the action of the spring 5|, thus assuring an accurate sliding engagement of the plunger with the passage in exact paralle1 ism without resort to manual forcing of the parts into engagement.

With the device thus engaged with the die, the punch is engaged with the member 34, the block member 22 shifting with respect to the disc member in the event that the punch is off-center, as indicated for instance by the dct-and-dash lines in Fig. 6. In centralizing the punch, the punch carriage I8 is preferably moved toward the die to the point where the member 34 is partially depressed, thus insuring that the parts of the centering device are firmly pressed together and are firmly pressed into relation with the punch and die in an axial direction under the pressure of the spring 37. With the parts in this position, the punch is adjusted to its centralized position, which is determined, for instance, as the block member is shifted from the off-center dot-anddash line position shown in Fig. 6 to an exactly centralized position as shown by the full lines, and which position is determined accurately by passing the finger or fingernail over the joint between the cylindrical surfaces of the disc member 49 and the plate 3B, the absence of any ridge indicating that the punch is axiall aligned with the die.

In Figs. 7 to 11 there is illustrated a modified form of the invention, wherein one of the relatively transversely shiftable members of the gauge is adapted to be fitted into centralized relation within the die-holder and is axiall engaged by the ejection stem or mandrel, while the other member of the gauge is adapted to be engaged in centralized relation by the punch.

The aligning gauge illustrated in Figs. 7 to 11 comprises an elongated cylindrical main body or block member 60, corresponding in diameter to the die 18, Figs. 1 and 2, which is removed from the passage ll of the die-holder l2, during the aligning operation, to permit the member 69 to be inserted in the passage l2 in place thereof. The member 66 is provided with a cylindrical axial bore 6| provided at its forward end portion with a reduced diameter cylindrical portion 62. This bore is adapted to receive the ejection stem or mandrel M, with its tapered end portion engaged with the annular shoulder edge at the inner end of the reduced portion 62, while its cylindrical portion fits exactly the outer end portion of the bore, so that when the member 6!] is engaged within the die-holder the ejection stem or mandrel may be axially aligned with the dieholder, it being pointed out in this respect that the, ejection stem, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is of smaller diameter than the passage l3 of the die, and therefore cannot be centralized by direct contact with th surface of the passage. l3.

On the flat forward face of the member 60 there is secured for transverseshifting move ment a disc member 63, having a cylindrical periphery which corresponds exactly to the cylindrical peripher of the member fill, and in axially aligned relation coincides therewith, this disc being provided centrally with a cylindrical aperture 64 provided at its outer end with an annular beveled surface 65 adapted to guide the punch into centralized engagement, the engagement being a line contact engagement with the annular edge at the inter-section of the cylindrical apertur 6t and the beveled surface 65, p l

Diametricallyat each side of the aperture 64 the disc member is provided with cylindrical holes 6666 which are engaged by retaining post structures secured to the forward end of the body member 60, there being limited transverse clearance between the holes and the post structures to permit transverse shifting of the disc member relativel to the body member 59. These post structures each comprise a cylindrical bushing 61, of a length corresponding exactly to the thick ness of the disc member 63 and ofsmaller diameter than the hole 66, provided at its outer end with an annular flanged head portion 68, of larger diameter than the hole 68, and adapted to engage the outer surface of th disc 63 in surrounding relation to the hole 66, the bushing being secured rigidly to the member 69 by means of a screw 69 screwed into a threaded hole 15) in the member 651, its fillister head 7! being engaged'in a counterbored recess I2 in the head end of the bushing.

The disc member is adapted to be transversely shifted in any direction with respect to the body member 59, as shown for instance in Fig. 10, to

permit it to be engaged by the punch when the latter is out of axial alignment with the dieholder and ejection stem. Thereupon the punch is adjusted until the peripheral surfaces of the body member 60 and the disc member 63 are in exact register which may be accurately determined by moving the finger 0r fingernail across the joint between these members.

The forms of the invention illustrated in the drawings and described herein are typical and illustrative only,- andit is evident that the invention is capable of embodiments in other forms, all falling within the scope of the appended claims, which are tobe broadly construed.

What is claimed is:

1. In an. alignment gauge for axially aligning a pair of cooperative tools, a member having a tool-engaging part movable axially in said member, a second member engaged with said first member, and having a tool-engaging part movable axially in said second member, one of said members being movable relatively to the other transversely of the axis of said tool-engaging parts, and registering means on said respective members adapted to register with each other in the axially aligned relation of said tool-engaging parts.

2. In an alignment gauge for axially alignin a pair of cooperative tools, a member having a spring engaged tool-engaging part movable axially in said member, anda second member engaged with said first member and having a spring engaged tool-engaging part movable axially in said second member, one of said members being movable relatively to the other transversely of the axis of said tool-engaging parts, the peripheral surfaces of said respective mem bers corresponding and adapted to register with each other in the axially aligned relation of said tool-engaging parts.

3. In an alignment gauge for axially aligning a pair of cooperative tools one of which is a punch, a member having an axially disposed toolengaging part, a second member engaged with said first member and having an axially disposed punch-engaging part having a punch teat receiving centering pocket, one of said members being movable relatively to the other transversely of the axis of said tool-engaging parts, and registering means on said respective members adapted to register with each other in the axially aligned relation of said tool and punch-en a ing parts.

4. In an alignment gauge for axially aligning a pair of cooperative tools, a memberhaving a chamber and a tool-engaging part slidable axially in said chamber, a second member engaged with said first member and having a chamber and a tool-engaging part slidable axially in the second chamber, said members having planular inner ends engaged with each other and relatively movable transversely of the axis of said tool-engaging parts, circumferentially spaced connection means between said members permitting limited relative transverse movement, and registering means on said respective members registering with each other in the axially aligned relation of said centralized tool-engaging parts.

5. In an alignment gauge for axially aligning a pair of cooperative tools, a member having an axially disposed tool-engaging part at its outer end, a second member engaged with said first member and having an axially disposed toolengaging part at its outer end, said members having planular inner ends engaged with each other and relatively movable transversely of the axis of said tool-engaging parts, a pair of headed posts at the inner end of one of said members extending axially and arranged diametrically at each side of the axis of said tool-engaging part, the other member having holes engaged by said posts and of a diameter permitting limited relative transverse movement, the post heads being of larger diameter than said holes to retain the connected relation of said members, and re istering means on said respective members registering with each other in the axially aligned relation of said tool-engaging parts.

6. In an alignment gauge for axially aligning a pair of cooperative tools, a member having an axial passage, a tool-engaging part engaged in said passage, spring means exerting projecting pressure on said tool-engaging part, a second member engaged with said first member and having an axially disposed tool-engaging part, one of said members being movable relatively to the other transversely of the axis of said tool-engaging parts, and registering means on said respective members adapted to register with each other in the axially aligned relation of said tool-engaging parts.

7. In an alignment gauge for axially aligning a pair of cooperative tools, a member having an axial passage, a tool-engaging part engaged in said passage, spring means exerting protecting pressure on said tool-engaging part, a second member engaged with said first member having an axial passage, a tool-engaging part engaged in said passage, spring means exerting projecting pressure on said last-mentioned tool-engaging part, one of said members being movable relatively to the other transversely of the axis of said tool-engaging parts, and registering means on said respective members adapted to register with each other in the axially aligned relation of said tool-engaging parts.

8. In an alignment gauge for axially aligning a pair of cooperative tools one of which is a die, a member having an axial passage, a tool-engaging part engaged in said passage and depressible into flush relation with the outer side of said member, spring means exerting projecting pressure on said tool-engaging part to engage'it in said die, a second member engaged with said first member and having an axially disposed tool-engaging part, one of saidrmembers being movable relatively to the other transversely of the axis of said tool-engaging parts, and registerlng means on said respective members adapted to register with each other in the axially aligned relation of said tool-engaging parts.

9. In an alignment gauge for axially aligning a pair of cooperative tools, one of which is a work-piece-carrying mandrel, a member having an axially disposed passage adapted to be engaged by said mandrel, a second member engaged with said first member, and having an axially disposed tool-engaging part, one of said members being movable relatively to the other transversely of the axis of said members, and registering means on said respective members adapted to register with each other in the axially aligned relation of said members.

10. In an alignment gauge for axially aligning a pair of cooperative tools, one of which is a tapered work-piece-carrying mandrel, a member having an axially disposed passage adapted to be engaged by said mandrel including a cylindrical portion, and a reduced diameter cylindrical portion having an annular shoulder between them adapted to have line contact with the tapered surface or said mandrel, and a second member engaged with said first member and having an axially disposed tool-engaging part, one of said members being movable relatively to the other transversely of the axis of said members, and registering means on said respective members adapted to register with each other in the axially aligned relation of said members.

11. In an alignment gauge for axially aligning a pair of cooperative tools, one of which is a dieholder having a die-receiving passage and a work-piece-carrying mandrel, a body member having a tool-engaging part corresponding in shape to the die fitting said die-holder and en- 'gageable in said die-holder passage, said body member having an axially disposed passage adapted to be engaged by said mandrel, a second member engaged with said first member and having an axially disposed tool-engaging part, one of said members being movable relatively to the other transversely of the axis of said members, and registering means on said respective members adapted to register with each other in the axially aligned relation of said members.

ROLAND SMITH PAYNE. 

